Full Day Guided Fishing Trip in New Bern, NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full 8hour inshore fishing trip targeting multiple speciesProfessional captain with 21' Sea Pro boat for three guestsAll equipment included, departs 6:30 AM from New Bern
Picture this: you're on the water at first light, coffee still warm in your thermos, watching Captain Zachary fire up the electronics on his spotless 21' Sea Pro SD. That's how your 8-hour adventure begins in the productive waters around New Bern, NC. From 6:30 AM until you're satisfied with your cooler full of fish, you'll be working some of the best inshore spots for redfish, sea trout, flounder, and striped bass. This isn't a rushed half-day deal where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. You get a full day to really dial in on what's biting, move around to different structures, and put some serious fish in the boat.
Captain Zachary knows these waters like the back of his hand, and his Sea Pro is rigged exactly how you'd want it. We're talking quality rods and reels, a fish finder that actually works, and enough deck space for three anglers to fish comfortably without getting lines tangled every cast. You'll meet at 1309 Country Club Rd, and everything you need is already on board – tackle, bait, nets, cooler, the works. Just bring your valid NC fishing license, some snacks if you want them, and maybe a rain jacket because weather changes fast out here. The early start might feel rough when your alarm goes off, but trust me, being on productive water when the fish are most active makes all the difference. Captain Zachary's approach is straightforward: find the fish, put you on them, and keep moving until your arms are tired from reeling.
This trip covers a lot of ground, literally. We're talking about working grass flats for sea trout, bouncing structure for flounder, and hitting the edges where striped bass patrol. Captain Zachary switches up techniques based on conditions and what's showing on the sonar. Some days that means live bait under popping corks, other times it's bouncing jigs along the bottom or throwing topwater when the water's calm. The 21' Sea Pro handles the chop well, so even if it's a bit bumpy, you're not getting beat up while trying to fish. The electronics package includes GPS with marked waypoints for productive spots, plus a quality fish finder to locate baitfish and structure. Eight hours gives you time to really learn the water – you'll see how different spots fish at different tides, why certain areas hold fish, and how to read the water like a local.
Summer flounder are the bread and butter around here, and New Bern's waters produce some quality doormat-sized fish. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the biggest fish typically caught in deeper water during summer months. What makes flounder so exciting is the fight – they're surprisingly strong for a flatfish, and there's nothing quite like watching a 4-pound doormat come up from 20 feet down, twisting and pulling the whole way.
Striped bass, or rockfish as locals call them, are the power hitters of this fishery. These silver rockets can show up anywhere from 18 inches to well over 30 inches, and they fight like they're twice their size. Spring and fall are prime time, but summer morning and evening bites can be fantastic. They school up around structure, chase baitfish in open water, and absolutely crush topwater lures when conditions are right. The sound of a striper exploding on a surface plug at sunrise never gets old.
Sea trout are probably the most consistent biters you'll encounter, and the grass flats around New Bern hold good numbers year-round. These spotted beauties average 14-20 inches, with bigger gator trout mixed in for those who know where to look. They're aggressive feeders that hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Sea trout also make excellent table fare, so don't feel bad about keeping a few for dinner.
Redfish are the bronze bulldozers that every inshore angler wants to tangle with. These copper-colored fighters are built like linebackers and fight twice as hard as anything else their size. They cruise shallow flats, work oyster bars, and absolutely inhale bait when they're feeding. Slot-sized reds (18-27 inches) are fantastic eating, while the big bull reds over 27 inches are catch-and-release only – but those bruisers will give you an arm workout you won't forget. Late summer and fall are prime time for big schools of reds, but quality fish are caught year-round in these waters.
Look, there are plenty of fishing charters out there, but finding a captain who gives you a full 8 hours to really work the water is getting harder to find. Captain Zachary runs a clean operation with quality gear, knows where the fish are holding, and isn't watching the clock waiting to head back to the dock. Whether you're a serious angler looking to put numbers on the board or just want to spend a full day fishing some of North Carolina's best inshore waters, this trip delivers. The 6:30 AM start might be early, but by the time you're heading home with a cooler full of fish and stories to tell, you'll understand why the best fishing happens when most people are still in bed. Don't wait until prime season books up – reserve your spot now and get ready for a day of steady action on the water.
This 21-foot Sea Pro SD is built for serious fishing in New Bern's productive inshore waters. The 225 HP Suzuki engine gets you to the redfish and sea trout spots quickly, while the spacious deck gives three anglers plenty of room to work. Quality electronics help locate fish and navigate the backwaters, and there's ample storage for tackle and your catch. The boat handles choppy conditions well, keeping you comfortable during long days chasing striped bass and flounder. With reliable safety equipment on board, you can focus on what matters most - putting fish in the cooler. Perfect for small groups who want a stable platform to fish the creeks, flats, and nearshore waters around New Bern.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by that copper-red color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most fish we catch run 24-32 inches and fight like freight trains in skinny water. They love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. What guests love most is sight-fishing to tailing reds and that bulldogging fight once hooked. The meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. These fish aren't spooky about lures - they'll hit everything from topwater plugs to gold spoons. Local secret: look for nervous water on calm days. That subtle surface disturbance usually means feeding redfish are nearby.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are gorgeous fish with silver sides covered in black spots and that telltale yellow mouth. They typically run 14-24 inches and love our grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during moving tides when they're actively hunting shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them fun is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive strike on a quiet morning. The meat is delicate and mild, though you don't want to overcook it. These fish are structure-oriented, so we work around oyster bars, dock pilings, and grass edges. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp suspended about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in from a distance.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the workhorses of our inshore waters, averaging 20-40 pounds with those distinctive black stripes running down their silver sides. These fish love structure - we target them around bridges, jetties, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. They're here year-round but really turn on during spring and fall migrations when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that hard pull when they hit - they're strong swimmers that'll test your drag. Plus, the meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. Water temperature is key with these fish - they prefer that 55-68 degree range. Here's a local tip: watch for diving birds early morning or late evening. Where you see bird activity, there's usually a school of stripers pushing bait to the surface.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish lie on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side, perfectly camouflaged until an unsuspecting baitfish swims by. Around New Bern, we typically find them in 8-20 feet of water near structure like oyster bars and channel edges. Most fish run 15-20 inches, but don't be surprised when a 5-pounder grabs your bait. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge of finding them and that firm, white meat makes for great eating. My go-to trick is using a bucktail jig with a strip of squid - bounce it just off the bottom and let it flutter down. That flutter drives them crazy.
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